If its grade 3 its probably more CIN 3 not exactly cervical cancer but if left untreated it will lead to cervical cancer. If its CIN3 treatment for this is a LLETZ which is done under general anethetic and takes all of a few minutes (longer as you have to be put to sleep and wake up again) but it takes the top layer of cells away hopefully leaving healthy cells uneffected. Usually its very successful and no further treatment is needed for several years if not much much longer. CIN3 can be referred to as a cacinoma or type of cancer as they detect severe abnormal chancgs or cell changes that if left untreated will lead to cancer if untreated. It is actually very common in young women due to the rate of HPV (Human papoloma virus also known as the warts virus) having the virus doesn't neccessarily mean you have warts just the virus that causes cancer of the cervix and a few types will make warts appear but thats only about 1 or 2 types out of the 80types of HPV. And that is why that immunisation Gardisil came out to reduce the chances of getting HPV.

If it was full on cancer then she would need a hysterectomy but it would be unlikely to be at this stage. When the papsmear comes back and says pre-cancer cells were found and is CIN2 or 3 treatment is highly recommended. If you refused you would be doing it against medical advise.

The good news is the LLETZ should fix the problem and your friend shouldn't have any problems afterwards. It does mean they advise you not to ttc (if she was) for several months whilst everything heals and your more likely to have a hysterectomy later in life and you need more regular papsmears but with paps you can pick it up early if it came back and seek further treatment. Its very scary when Drs throw around the words cancer of the cervix but I am sure its a matter of having treatment and she will be fine.